Join/Renew Login

Regional Directors Candidates

Quick Links

North Central Regional Director Candidate

South Central Regional Director Candidate

Northwest Regional Director Candidate

Southwest Regional Director Candidate

North Central Regional Dierector Candiate

Name: Virginia Peterson

Title: Accounting Manager

Company Name: Lake Shore Travel Service

City, State: Glencoe IL

Phone: 847-461-5065

E-mail: virginia@lakeshoretravel.com

Candidate Statement:

My name is Virginia Peterson and after six plus years as the President of the Upper Midwest ASTA Chapter I decided it was time to look to a new phase in my involvement with the association. Therefore, I am throwing my hat in the ring and running for the Director of the North Central Region. Prior to my role as chapter president, I was the Treasurer and events coordinator, culminating in 15 years on the chapter board.

My career in travel began after completing travel advisor school in March of 1984 when hired as office support with the goal of joining the sales team. Soon that opportunity came about, and I failed miserably. Realizing that travel sales was not my cup of tea, I found myself back in office support on track to learn travel accounting where I have remained ever since. In 1994 I entered a new venture with colleagues from my first job, including the agency owner who volunteered with ASTA at both chapter and national levels throughout his career. MSP Travel Group found success in the Mpls/St Paul market with a sales mix of corporate and leisure travel. I was the company’s Chief Financial Officer and in later years, also its President.

In 2015 we sold our business to a larger Travel Leaders franchise, and I assumed the role of Accounting Manager, soon to be named CFO. Six years later, after working through the trials of the pandemic, I was ready for something new, accepting employment as Accounting Manager at Lake Shore Travel Service, in Glencoe IL. I work from home in Inver Grove Heights, MN.

On a national level, I have participated in Legislative Day every year since 2017, except for 2019, attended nearly all the Travel Advisor Conferences (fka ASTA Global Convention) and a couple ASTA World Congresses (did I say I have been around awhile?). In 2007 MSP Travel Group joined as an inaugural Premium Member and I attended each meeting until my change of employer in 2021.

My travel career has been on a different trajectory than most chapter presidents. Having strong accounting and business administrative experience I bring a unique perspective to the opportunities and challenges of running a travel agency which is something that has been beneficial in my role as a chapter president. Because of these experiences and the relationships that I have cultivated with ASTA, travel advisors, agencies owners and travel suppliers I am confident that I have what it takes to offer support and guidance to the chapter presidents in the North Central Region. Thank you in advance for considering my nomination for the North Central Region Director.

Back to top

South Central Regional Director Candidate

Name:Chris Seddelmeyer

Title: Travel Advisor

Company Name: Travel Concepts

City, State: Hot Springs Village, AR

Phone: 419-231-4152

E-mail: chris@travelconcepts2121.com

Candidate Statement:

It is an absolute pleasure to submit my name for consideration as Regional Director for the Southcentral region. For the last several years, I have been an active ASTA member, holding positions as Chapter President, both past and current, for the Mid-America Chapter and Arkansas. Additionally, I served as Regional Director for the North Central region and was elected as Regional Director Representative to the National Board. Currently, I am a member of the Government Affairs Committee, where I have also served as past co-chair. In addition, I served 3 terms as Township Trustee, where I gained invaluable experience in the governmental arena.

Throughout my tenure, I have witnessed dramatic changes in the Chapter structure, including the rise of home-based ICs, the influx of younger advisors entering the travel industry, and ASTA’s renewed commitment to serving the chapters for the benefit of both advisors and ASTA. Our association is unique in its dedication to our businesses' success, and I am committed to helping direct the chapters in a manner that continues to support and enhance this mission.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Chris Seddelmeyer

Back to top

Northwest Regional Director Candidate

Name: Lynda Phillippi

Title: Portland ASTA Chapter president

Company Name: Renaissance Travel

City, State: McMinnville, OR

Phone: 503-560-7425

E-mail: lynda@gowithlynda.com

Candidate Statement:

As a dedicated travel advisor and business owner specializing in transformative, client-aligned travel experiences, I am honored to submit my candidacy for a leadership role within ASTA. With a passion for fostering meaningful connections through travel, I bring experience in both the travel industry and leadership roles that have shaped my ability to serve, advocate, and innovate.

Vision for ASTA & the Travel Industry

The travel industry is evolving rapidly, and ASTA plays a crucial role in ensuring that travel advisors remain at the forefront of this transformation. My vision is to strengthen ASTA’s commitment to supporting travel professionals by:

- Advancing Professional Development: Expanding access to education, certifications, and mentorship programs tailored to emerging trends such as wellness travel, sustainability, and energy-aligned experiences.

- Advocating for Industry Growth: Strengthening partnerships with suppliers, policymakers, and global organizations to enhance industry standards and ensure travel advisors receive the recognition and support they deserve.

- Fostering Community & Collaboration: Supporting platforms where travel advisors can connect, share insights, and collaborate on innovative offerings that meet the changing needs of travelers.

Leadership & Industry Experience

ASTA Involvement & Leadership Roles.

My dedication to ASTA’s mission has been demonstrated through my years of leadership at both the regional and national levels.

- President, ASTA Portland Chapter (2015–2018, 2023–Present): As chapter president, I have worked to strengthen ASTA’s presence in the Portland area by fostering connections between travel professionals, suppliers, and industry leaders. I have led educational initiatives, networking events, and advocacy efforts to support our members’ professional growth while enhancing the chapter’s visibility and engagement.

- Regional Director, Pacific Northwest (2018–2023): In this role, I worked closely with ASTA members, suppliers, and local travel professionals to strengthen our regional presence and support industry growth. I supported networking events, educational workshops, and advocacy initiatives, ensuring that members had access to valuable resources to thrive in an evolving market. Additionally, I played a key role in increasing regional membership engagement and fostering collaboration among travel advisors in the PNW.

- National Board Member (2021–2023): Serving on ASTA’s national board allowed me to contribute to strategic decision-making and initiatives that impacted travel advisors on a broader scale. I collaborated with industry leaders to address challenges facing our profession, from legislative advocacy to professional development opportunities. My focus was on ensuring that independent advisors, boutique agencies, and niche travel specialists had a strong voice in ASTA’s initiatives.

Community & Charitable Involvement

In addition to my travel industry work, I am deeply committed to giving back. My community involvement includes:

- Volunteer Work in my local Community: Supporting local artisans and community-based tourism initiatives that empower local economies.

- Mentorship & Business Coaching: Guiding aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women in business, to create sustainable and impactful careers in travel.

- Charitable Contributions: Partnering with organizations that promote the arts, culture, and history.

Why I Am the Right Candidate

With my extensive leadership experience within ASTA, my deep understanding of industry challenges, and my passion for advancing the role of travel advisors, I am well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to ASTA’s continued growth. I have a proven track record of fostering community, advocating for our industry, and supporting innovation in travel advising.

I am excited about the opportunity to continue serving ASTA’s members, representing their interests, and ensuring that our industry remains strong, dynamic, and well-supported. It would be an honor to bring my leadership, experience, and vision to this role.

Back to top

Southwest Regional Director Candidate

Name: Ken Kimi

Title: Owner

Company Name: A Touch Above Travel Services LLC

City, State: Aiea, Hawaii

Phone: 808-836-0965

E-mail: Ken@ATouchAboveTravel.com

Candidate Statement:

Aloha everyone, my name is Ken Kimi, and I am a candidate for the ASTA Southwest Regional Director position. You could say that travel has been in my blood since birth. I grew up in the hotel and hospitality industry, as my father and his brothers built and operated a chain of hotels in Hawaii. I had the privilege of working in various aspects of the business, from construction to front desk duties, and even delivering bags to rooms during high school. However, my passion was engineering, which led me to venture from Hawaii to attend the University of the Pacific in California. There, I was honored to be the School of Engineering valedictorian and obtained my bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Furthermore, I was fortunate to receive a full scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where I earned a master's degree in electrical engineering and computer science.

In my early career, I was employed as an electrical engineer at Hewlett Packard, where I was involved in designing mainframe computers. I subsequently held roles within the manufacturing, testing, and support organizations, eventually advancing to first and second levels of management. My professional journey continued at Quantum, a disk drive manufacturer, where I worked in the engineering, manufacturing, and information technology departments and eventually returned to Hewlett Packard. Throughout my career, I had the opportunity to travel internationally for both business and personal purposes. A few years after the birth of my twin daughters, I relocated our family to Honolulu to be nearer to our extended family. During this time, I was able to telecommute for five years before opting for an early retirement buy-out.

In 1997, while employed in California, I started my travel business as a transition into a second career. Recognizing a high demand among my co-workers for information about Hawaii, I decided to establish my own travel agency, offering expert advice on Hawaiian destinations and earning revenue through the sale of travel packages. The business experienced significant growth and underwent a transformation after I relocated to Hawaii, as I began catering to clients traveling from Hawaii to various global destinations. This year marks the 28th anniversary of the establishment of my travel business.

As a new business owner, I recognized the importance of education and networking with suppliers and colleagues. Consequently, I joined the National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) and attended conferences each year. I became president of the NACTA Hawaii chapter and served as a regional director for several years. I was featured twice in NACTA’s Agent Life magazine - first in a one-page spotlight on me and my agency in December 2012, and later the cover page and a four-page article in the Fall of 2018. I cherish a photograph in the magazine, where I am holding my 2017 Regional Director of the Year award, standing between Ann Chamberlain and Bob Duglin.

ASTA absorbed NACTA, and when the president position became available, I became the ASTA Hawaii president while still holding the NACTA (ASTA-SBN) presidency. I recognized the need to merge both organizations and served as the ASTA Hawaii president since. Working with the board, I have utilized engineering skills to incorporate more technology and methodology to enhance organizational efficiency. As a chapter, we identified the necessity of engaging with a lobbyist to keep our members informed about all bills going through the Hawaii legislature that may impact the travel industry. Members are provided with the opportunity to participate in testifying or watching live proceedings if they choose to do so.

As the president of the ASTA Hawaii chapter, I value networking with my peers. I am consistently eager to learn about how other chapter presidents conduct their meetings and tradeshows, and I readily share my own methods. Often, I find myself in a unique position as business practices in Hawaii differ significantly from those on the continent. I strive to adapt the best practices I encounter to align with our Hawaiian culture, thereby enhancing the success of their implementation.

In addition to my travel experience, I served as the secretary on the board of directors for a local credit union for five years. During my tenure, we provided strategic guidance to management to maintain profitability during challenging financial periods. For recreation, I play tennis three times a week with friends and have had the privilege of competing in national tournaments twice. This activity significantly contributes to maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

In conclusion, as the Southwest Regional Director, I aim to both learn from and assist other chapters in the region. With my disciplined engineering approach, extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry, and experience as a travel agency owner, I am committed to enhancing the standards of our chapters. My goal is to ensure that they achieve excellence, thereby contributing to the growth of ASTA and increasing its impact on our members and the public.

I am requesting your support and vote for the position of Southwest Regional Director. Thank you for allowing me to share my story and passion for the travel industry.

With much mahalo,

Ken Kimi, VTA, ACC